Empty Boxes

Realized storing empty electronics boxes was no longer serving us. We’ve been storing the elaborate boxes in our “basement”—a storage cage two floors down. Since we hold onto electronics long past their prime resale value, keeping the boxes serves little practical purpose.

Categorized as Simplify

I’m Married to a Cactus Whisperer

Over the years, our stash of dental freebies from hygienist appointments has grown. Today, Dwight announced he’s found a new use for them: cleaning between the spines of cacti at the greenhouse where he volunteers. I couldn’t resist speculating if he’d be talking to the cacti during his prickly procedures.

Categorized as Simplify

Decluttering Our Travel Tech

Emptied out our bulging travel tech box, Marie Kondo-style. Discarded half the contents, including earphones dating back to Continental Airlines and a GPS from 2001. Thanked the GPS for its service, but it was time to let it go. Retained the phone as a backup for solo travel.

55-Bin System for Hobbies and Home

Started setting up a 55-bin system to organize parts for our hobbies and home maintenance, replacing dozens of plastic shoeboxes. About a quarter of the bins will hold bulk and bulky LEGO Technic parts. The bins are easily subdivided, making parts more available.

Minimizing Waste

Cycled to Repowered with a load of old electronics. The nonprofit employs people facing barriers to employment to refurbish and sell as much as possible. Recycling is performed in the USA.

Sort, Sell, Recycle

Went through a large plastic tub of stuff I’ve been saving to sell on eBay. Listed a set of vintage (1980’s) Cannondale cycle bags hoping to make $80 for Doctors Without Borders. I’ll recycle the remaining items shown here: they’re worth so little, it’s just not worth the effort selling them.

No Big Deal

Today, I realized I’d probably left my Amex card in a restaurant that’s closed today. A couple taps in the Amex app delivered an immediate digital replacement to Google Wallet. A physical card will arrive tomorrow morning. Pretty neat, I thought.

I Never Knew That…

We’d been doing this wrong for 35 years! While making coffee this morning, used a tip we recently learned: add one drop of water before grinding. This reduces static which causes coffee grounds to clump and stick to the grinder. The grinder only needs a quick wipe with a sponge.

Paperwork

Today was chilly, windy, and damp, a good day to go through a heap of papers, scanning what I want to retain, then shredding every last sheet.

Ready for a Quick Getaway

Our backpacks wait near the front door for tomorrow’s trip. We’re strong proponents for traveling light, but we’re bringing a few extra clothes this time because we won’t be walking much more than a mile at a time with the packs. These 35-liter packs will still easily fit the overhead bins.